February roundup

At the beginning of the month sat down and did the plot planting plan for the year. As usual trying not have grown anything in the same place in the previous 3 years which should help guard against a build up of soil pathogens.

Then the weather did this

But I got some lovely icicles

But my neighbours icicles were much better!

With the promise of spring not far away I decided that some seeds needed to be started at home; much later than I have done in previous years

They were set on the 9/2/13 and inc: Leek - Musselburgh; Melon - Arava F1; Sweet Pepper - D'asti Giallo; Tomato - Moneymaker, San Marzano, Costoluto Fiorentino, Cuor di bue, Cilliegia, Alicante, Gardeners Delight; Onion - Ailsa Craig, Sweet Spanish Yellow, Aubergine - Early long purple 2; Sweet basil; Cabbage - Golden Acre, Cauliflower - All year round; Sweet Pea - Spencer Waved Mixed; Stock - ten week mixed

The onion and aubergine really havent done anything so I will repeat sow at the end of the week, but the rest are looking like this today and almost ready for transplanting.

Anyway, so our next visit to the allotment consisted of compost bin construction. The previous ones had been constructed when I first got the plot 6 years ago and were in desperate need of a) repair, and b) expansion.

Then with some considerable effort we (I say we, but the majority of the construction came from my super fella) constructed these beauties. 

In a moment of complete madness I agreed to take on another full size plot 2 away from where I currently am which has had little in the way of work done to it in the past 5 years. Now my family has expanded to 6 having even more space to grow food is very important, but I know how much work is involved getting a plot from where it is now...

...to something a bit more productive. But, it will save on gym fees, so silver lining n all that!! Plus the cost of the rent for both plots for the year comes to around 2 weeks food shopping, so really we're quids in.
All the kids are going to have a space each where they can grow whatever it is they want. So far one has chosen tomatoes (favourite food and eats them like sweets!); one strawberries, and the other flowers - 'as without the flowers we have no bees and therefore no food'. The child clearly has been listening!!

The first plot has the beginnings of spring evident. The rhubarb is sprouting...

The leeks are delicious...

I finally, after years of trying actually succeeded with proper shaped sprouts!

 And the purple sprouting broccoli is about to do it's thang.

When we visited the Eden Project last summer in their allotment garden they were growing onions in a way similar to how shallots look as they're growing. Given the amount of onions we get through I've decided to try this technique this year. It hasnt gone down well with the traditionalist allotmenteers and I'm fairly sure it counts as heresy or witchcraft as far as they are concerned, but hey ho, I'm not usually one for following the rules and we'll see what happens.

Yesterday about 200 Radar were planted in this way. The theory is that the onions dont actually need the traditional prescribed spacing and therefore in a smaller space you can get a much higher yield. As these onions sets were bought for 10p per packet just before Xmas and have over wintered in the shed they werent all necessarily in the best planting condition, but they owe me nothing, and if they grow the reality is that they've cost me an hour of my time.

Today there is garlic to be set, and then that pretty well sums up where we've got to so far.

Thanks for reading, feel free to comment if you wish!